in Chemphyschem : A European Journal of Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry (2012), 13(12), 30353046

A simple and useful thermodynamic approach to the prediction of reactions taking place during thermal treatment of layers of multinary semiconductor compounds on different substrates has been developed ... [more ▼]

A simple and useful thermodynamic approach to the prediction of reactions taking place during thermal treatment of layers of multinary semiconductor compounds on different substrates has been developed. The method, which uses the extensive information for the possible binary compounds to assess the stability of multinary phases, is illustrated with the examples of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu2ZnSnSe4 as well as other less-studied ternary and quaternary semiconductors that have the potential for use as absorbers in photovoltaic devices. [less ▲]

An electrodeposition-annealing route to films of the promising p-type absorber material Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) using layered metal precursors is studied. The dependence of device performance on composition is ... [more ▼]

An electrodeposition-annealing route to films of the promising p-type absorber material Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) using layered metal precursors is studied. The dependence of device performance on composition is investigated, and it is shown that a considerable Cu-deficiency is desirable to produce effective material, as measured by photoelectrochemical measurements employing the Eu3+/2+ redox couple. The differing effects of using elemental sulphur and H2S as sulphur sources during annealing are also studied, and it is demonstrated that H2S annealing results in films with improved crystallinity. [less ▲]